LANSING — Michigan Republican and Democratic leaders joined together on Wednesday to honor former Attorney General Frank Kelley, a man they said reached across the partisan divide to look out for the people of Michigan.

They officially dedicated the promenade between the Michigan Capitol building and Hall of Justice as the Frank J. Kelley Capitol Walkway, named in honor of the state's longest-serving attorney general.

Known as the "eternal general," Kelley has the distinction of being both the youngest and oldest attorney general in Michigan, taking office at age 36 in 1961 and serving until he was 74 in 1998.

Kelley, 88, said he was grateful for the honor, especially since these types of activities are typically conducted posthumously.

Frank KelleyFormer Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley speaks at a ceremony dedicating the "Frank J. Kelley Capitol Walkway" between the Capitol building and Michigan Hall of Justice on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013.

"I did have a great life with moments of joy and some disappointment, but I remain optimistic about the future for myself and my fellow man," he said.

"When you can reach across the partisan divide and get things done, that's called solving problems and that's a quality that he had, and frankly we need a lot more people like Frank Kelley in elected life, that's for sure," Schuette said.